Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
The Mesoproterozoic (1180-1030 Ma) basement complex in the central Virginia Blue Ridge consists of several mineralogically and texturally heterogeneous units. Near Crozet, Virginia, five compositionally distinct rock types occur and include: 1) layered gneiss, 2) charnockite and charnockitic gneiss, 3) biotite granitoid gneiss, 4) leucogranite, and 5) megacrystic granitoid. Two distinct foliations, including a high-temperature amphibolite to granulite facies and a low-temperature greenschist facies fabric, are variably developed in rocks with different deformation intensities. Several anastomosing northeast-southwest trending high-strain zones, including the connected Rockfish Valley and White Hall high-strain zones, cut through the basement complex. Lenses of relatively less deformed rock occur within the 1-3 km wide high-strain zones. Kinematic analysis indicates general shear with possible triclinic symmetry and apparent flattening strain. Palinspastic reconstruction of a cross-section to its undeformed state reveals 35% total shortening and less than 3 km of vertical displacement.
Date Awarded
2009
Department
Geology
Advisor 1
Christopher M. Bailey
Recommended Citation
Lederer, Graham William, "Geology and Structural Hisoy of the Blue Ridge Basement Complex, Albemarle County, Virginia" (2009). Geology Senior Theses. William & Mary. Paper 214.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/geologyseniors/214
